Terrorist Suspect Can Appeal to Civil Courts

The United States Supreme Court ruled that terrorist suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have the right to appeal to civil courts to contest their detention. The justices' 5 to 4 decision marks progress toward the humane treatment of detainees. The decision comes into direct conflict with the Bush administration's position that the detainees had adequate rights Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the US Constitution need not apply to their cases. As Justice Kennedy stated in his opinion, “The costs of delay can no longer be borne by those who are held in custody.”

The court's ruling demonstrates the Unites State's commitment to individual and human rights, which is at the heart of American values. The world needs the United States to lead human rights efforts and this decision moves us in the right direction.

(Original article published by The New York Times.)